DIETARY

COMPUTATIONS
 ENERGY FROM FOODS
THE CALORIE
 the unit of energy commonly used in human nutrition is the kilogram calorie (kcal)
 the calorie is the standard unit in measuring heat
 it is the unit of measurement for the energy that our body gets from food.
 calories are not eaten
 they are by products when carbohydrates, protein and fats are oxidized in the body
 one kcalorie is the heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water
1 degree centigrade
 1. fuel factor of carbohydrate = 4 calories per gram
2. fuel factor of fat = 9 calories per gram
3. fuel factor of protein = 4 calories per gram

 The total calorie content (total energy) available from food can be
measured by means of device called a bombe calorimeter

 food energy is measured in kilocalories

1000 calories = 1 kcalorie

THE JOULE
 the joule is the measurement of energy in the metric system
1 calorie (kilocalorie) = 4.184 joule (kilojoules)
 COMPONENTS OF ENERGY
EXPENDITURE
BASAL METABOLISM
 Also known as the required energy expenditure (REE)
 is the measure of energy needed by the body at rest for all its internal chemical activities
which is approximately 1 calorie per kilogram of body weight per hour for an adult
 it is the minimum amount of energy needed by the body at rest in the fasting state
 it indicates the amount of energy needed to suction the life processes: respiration, cellular
metabolism, circulation, glandular activity and the maintenance of body temperature
 it accounts for more than one-half of calorie requirements for most people
 the BMR is the rate of basal metabolism in a given person at a given time and situation
 It constitutes one-half of the calorie requirement of an individual
 BASAL METABOLIC RATE
 BMR – (fat free body size) is the rate of basal metabolism in a given person at a
given time and situation
- is the number of calories your body needs to accomplish its most basic
(basal) life-sustaining functions
- the rate at which the body uses energy while at rest to keep vital
functions going, such as berthing and keeping warm
- it constitutes ½ of the calorie requirements of an individual
- an average man has a BMR of around 7,100 kJ per day, while an average
woman has a BR of around 5,900 kJ per day
- energy expenditure is continuous, but the rate varies
throughout the day
 CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR BMR TEST
 to ensure accuracy
1. The subject must be in fasting or post-absorptive state, at least 12 hours after meal
(the test is usually taken in the morning)
2. The subject must be awake, lying quietly, free from physical fatigue, nervousness or
tension as this causes an increase in heat production
3. The environmental temperature should be between 20-25 C so that the subject can
maintain his body temperature
4. Rule of thumb
- 1 kcal per kg per hour for adult male
- 0.9 kcal per kg per hour for adult female
 this value however may not be applicable for obese or lean individuals
 CALCULATION OF BMR
1. A simple method for the calculation of the BMR is to use the rule of thumb
- 1 kcal per kg per hour for adult male
- 0.9 kcal per kg per hour for adult female
 thus, an individual whose ideal body weight (IBW)is 50 kg has a basal energy need of 1,200
kcal per day (50 x 1kcal x 24 hours)
 this value however may not be applicable for obese or lean individuals
Example: Male, 75 kg
= 1kcal x 75 x 24
= 1,800 kcal

Female, 65kg
= 0.9 kcal x 65 x 24
= 1,404 kcal
2. Another method is the Harris-Benedict Formula
- developed in 1909, using information on weight , height, age, sex
- is a method used to estimate an individual’s BMR
- the estimated BMR value my be multiplied by a number that
corresponds to the individual’s activity level; the resulting number
is the appropriate daily kilocalorie intake to maintain current body
weight
Example: Males
REE = 66 + [13.7 x wt(kg)] + [5 x ht(cm)] – [6.8 x age (yr)]

Females
REE = 655 + [9.6 x wt(kg)] + [1.8 x ht(cm)] – [4.7 x age (yr)]

3. One more method used in obtaining the metabolic or fat-free body size is called the biologic
body weight raised to the ¾ power
 - the metabolic body size for the different body weight
- once the metabolic body size is known based on weight in
kilograms, the figure is multiplied by 70, a value which applies to all
animals
- a 50-kg man’s REE = 18.8 x 70 = 1,326 kcal

4. The last method is developed by WHO/FAO/UNU in 1985

- it uses the following equation:
1.6 x wt (kg) + 879 = REE
- thus, a 50-kg man has a REE of 1,459 kcal
BODY WEIGHTS IN KILOGRAM AND
METABOLIC BODY SIZE (KG) 3/4
KILOGRAMS METABOLIC BODY SIZE (kg) 3/4
5 3.3
10 5.6
15 7.6
20 9.5
25 12.1
30 12.8
35 14.4
40 15.9
45 17.4
50 18.8
KILOGRAMS METABOLIC BODY SIZE (kg) 3/4
65 21.6
70 24.2
80 26.7
90 29.2
100 31.6
 FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE BMR
1. Surface area – the greater the body surface area or skin area, the greater the amount of
heat loss will be, and in turn, the greater the necessary heat produced by the body;
muscle tissue requires more oxygen than adipose tissue
2. Sex - women in general, have a metabolism of about 5% to 10% lower than men even
when they are of the same weight and height; women have a little more fat and less
muscular development than men
3. Age – the metabolic rate is highest during the periods of rapid growth, chiefly during the
first and second years and reaches a lesser peak through the ages of puberty and
adolescence in both sexes; the BMR declines slowly with increasing age to lower
muscle tone from lessened activity
4. Body composition – a large proportion of inactive adipose tissue lowers the BMR;
athletes with great muscular development show about 5% increase in basal metabolism
over non-athletic individuals
5. State of nutrition – a decrease in the mass of active tissue such as in the case of
undernourishment or starvation causes a lowered metabolism often as much as
50% below normal
6. Sleep – during sleep, the metabolic rate falls approximately 10% to 15% below
that of waking levels; this decreased rate is due to muscular relaxation and
decreased activity of the sympathetic nervous system
7. Endocrine glands – secrete hormones into the blood stream, are the principal
regulators of the metabolic rate; the ale sex hormone s increase the BMR about
10% to 15% and the female sex hormones a little less
8. Fever – it increases the BMR about 7% for each degree rise in the body
temperature above 98.6 F
 COMPUTATION OF DESIRABLE BODY
WEIGHT (DBW)
1. Ador Dionisio’s Method
Height - for every 5 feet, allow 100 lbs for female and 110 lbs for male;
then multiply the additional inches by 2
Age - multiply any age between 25 and 50 by 2 then divide by 5

Example:
Male, 45 years old, 5’4 tall
Height = 5 feet = 110 lbs
4 inches x 2 = 8 lbs
118 lbs
Age = (45 years)2 = 18 lbs
5
DBW = 118 lbs x18 lbs = 136 lbs
2. Tannhauser’s Method
- Measure height in cm and deduct 100; from the difference take off
its 10%

Example:
Male, 45 years old, 5’4 tall
Height = 5’4 = 162.56 cm
162.56 – 100 = 62.56
10% of 6.256 = DBW (kg)
DBW (kg) = 56.7 kg or 126 lbs
 PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

 Calorie requirements depend on the type and amount of exercise

 The more vigorous the physical work, the greater the calorie cost
 The kind of physical activity and the amount of times spent determine the
amount of energy the body uses
 CALORIE EXPENDITURE FOR VARIOUS
TYES OF ACTIVITIES
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES CALORIES
Sedentary Activities
reading, writing, eating, watching TV, office work, sitting at work 80-100
Light Activities
cooking, washing dishes, ironing, welding, standing at work, 110-160
rapid typing
Moderate Activities
mopping, scrubbing, sweeping, gardening, carpentry, walking
fast, standing at work with moderate arm movement, sitting at 170-240
work vigorous arm movement
Heavy Activities
heavy scrubbing, hand washing, walking fast, bowling, golfing, 250-350
heavy gardening
SPECIFIC DYNAMIC ACTION OF FOOD

 Carbohydrate or fat increases the heat production of about 5% of the total

calories consumed
 It is the energy required to digest, transport and utilize food
 ESTIMATION OF DAILY ENERGY
REQUIREMENT OF AN ADULT
 The daily energy requirement of an adult is commonly estimated by adding together the
requirements for basal metabolism, physical or muscular activity, and the specific dynamic
action (SDA) of food:
1. Determine the DBW in kg of the individual
2. Determine the basal needs:
Male = 1.0 kcalorie/kilo of DBW/hr X 24
Female = 0.9 kcalorie/kilo of DBW/hr x 24
3. Subtract 0.1 kcalorie/kilo of DBW/hours of sleep
4. Add the activity increment
5. Add the SDA (10% of basal needs + activity increment)
6. Sum equals the appropriate daily calorie requirement
 ACTIVITY INCREMENT

ACTIVITY KCALORIE PER DAY

MEN WOMEN
Sedentary or light work 225 225
Moderate work 750 500
Heavy work 1,500 1,000
Very heavy work 2,500
 ESTIMATION OF TOTAL ENRGY NEED

 The total energy need of an individual is the composite of energy necessary to

replace basal metabolic needs, energy expenditure for physical activities,
thermogenic effect of food and other factors
 The total energy need of an adult may be determined using one of the
methods:
1. The most practice and rapid method of estimating energy need is based on
DBW according to occupation (this method is often used in clinics and
hospitals)
 DBW ACCORDING TO OCCUPATION

OCCUPATION OR FEMALE MALE

ACTIVITY
Kcal/lb Kcal/kg Kcal/lb Kcal/kg
Bed patient 12 25 14 30
Light work 14 30 16 35
Moderate work 16 35 18 40
Heavy work 18 40 20 44
 Example
50 kg man x 40 (moderately active) = 2,000 kcal/day

2. The second method of estimating the energy need is the factorial method; it uses the following
equation:
Basal energy (a) + physical activity (b) + thermogenic effect of food (c) = total
energy need
a. Calculate the BMR using any of the four methods
b. Determine the energy need for physical activity (PA) by using the short method
(Calorie Expenditure for Various Types of Activities)
c. Add the basal energy cost and activity cost
d. Calculate the thermogenic effect of food (for a mixed diet adequate in protein,
add 10% of the subtotal ; for the average Filipino diet, use 6%)
e. Add the basal energy, physical activity, and thermogenic effect of food
 Example
a. BMR using the Harris-Benedict formula
REE
= 66.5 + [13 x 50 kg] + [5.0 x 157 cm] – [6.8 x 35 (age)]
= 66.5 + 685 + 785 -238
= 299 kcal
= basal metabolic needs

b. Energy need from PA

= total PA kcal x 50 (wt in kg)
= 17.24 kcal x 50 kg
= 862 kcal for PA

c. Basal energy cost and activity cost

= 1,299 kcal + 862 kcal
= 2,161 kcal
 d. Thermogenic effect of food
= basal energy cost + activity cost x 6%
= (1,299 kcal + 862 kcal) (0.06)
= 2,161 x 0.06
= 130

e. Basal energy cost, activity cost and thermogenic effect of

food
= 1,299 kcal + 862 kcal + 130 kcal
= 2,291 kcal

3. The daily energy need can also be determined by referring to the

recommended dietary allowance s for Filipino
4. The fourth method is recommended by FAO/WHO/UNU (1985); to get the energy need,
multiply REE by the type of activity

 Example
Basal metabolic needs of a 50-kg man is 1,459 kcal x 1.7 (moderate)
= 2, 480 kcal
 APPROPRIATE INCREASE ABOVE
BASAL NEED FOR SELECTED
ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY CATEGORY PERCENT
ABOVE BASAL

Sleeping, reclining 10%

Very Light
sitting and standing, painting, driving, laboratory work, 30%
typing, playing musical instrument, sewing, ironing
Light
walking on level 2.5-3 mph, tailoring, pressing, garbage 50%
work, electrical traders, carpentry work, washing clothes,
golfing, sailing, playing table tennis, playing volleyball
 ACTIVITY CATEGORY PERCENT ABOVE
BASAL

Moderate
walking on 3.5-4 mph, plastering, weeding and
hoeing, loading and stacking bales, scrubbing floors, 75%
shopping with heavy load, cycling, skiing, playing
tennis, dancing

Heavy
walking with load uphill, tree-felling, work with pick 100%
and shovel, playing basketball, swimming, climbing,
playing football
RECOMMENDED DAILY ENERGY
INTAKE FOR ADULTS
(RECOMMENDED DIETARY
ALLOWANCES FOR FILIPINOS )
AGE MEN WOMEN

20-31 2,580 1,920

40-49 2,450 1,820

50-59 2,320 1,730

60-69 2,060 1,540

70-79 1,810 1,340

ENERGY NEED BASED ON TYPE OF
ACTIVITY
TYPE OF ACTIVITY MEN WOMEN
Very light 1.3 1.3
Light 1.6 1.5
Moderate 1.7 1.6
Heavy 2.1 1.9
Very heavy 2.4 2.2
 ENERGY BALANCE
 The amount of energy taken in by an individual should be equal to the amount
of energy expended during the day (if this is so, then the individual is said
to be in energy balance and thus, attains a desirable body weight)
 A desirable or ideal body weight is still debatable since body weight is made
up of fats, muscles, organs, bones and fluid
 Two individuals having the same height and age may not necessarily have the
same weight because of the aforementioned components
 Two methods can be used
1. Tannhauser’s Method
Height in centimetre = 157 cm
(factor) - 100
57 kg

(10% of answer obtained

to adjust weight to suit
the Filipino standard) = 5.7
= 51.3 0r 51 kg

2. For 5 feet, allow 100-105 lbs (females): 105-110 lbs (males)

For each additional inch, add 5 lbs
5’2” = 105
+ 10
= 115

(The values above apply with small frame; add 5 lbs for medium frame and 10 for
large frame)
 BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)
 The body mass index (BMI) is the ratio of weight to height
 BMI is defined as the body mass divided by the square of the body height, and is
expressed in units of kg /m2, resulting from mass in kilograms and height in meters
BMI = weight in kg
(height in meters)2

(Note: Body weight and height should be measured without shoes)

 BMI - can be an indicator of high body fatness (it is more of an indicator than a direct
measurement of a person’s total body fat; considered as an indicator of health risk)
- can be used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health
problems but it is not diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual
 CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF BMI

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) WEIGHT STATUS

Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 Normal
25.0 – 29.9 Overweight
30.0 and Above Obese